Gore Mountain suit thrown out

Environmental group had challenged OK of plan for ski trail link

By Brian Nearing Staff writer

Published 1:00 am, Saturday, July 18, 2009

NORTH CREEK — A state Supreme Court judge has thrown out a lawsuit by an Adirondack environmental group challenging state approval of plans to link Gore Mountain's ski trails to the hamlet of North Creek.

Judge Michael Lynch ruled Monday against the Residents' Committee to Protect the Adirondacks, which sought to block planned ski trails on state land between North Creek Ski Bowl and state-owned Gore Mountain.

Lynch rejected claims by the residents' committee that the project, which would be built on about 90 acres of state forest, would harm the environment or constitute improper use of state land to benefit private business.

The connecting trails would make North Creek's downtown accessible to thousands of winter skiers who use Gore Mountain.

Financially struggling North Creek also is considering plans for a massive resort by FrontStreet Mountain Development LLC of Darien, Conn., to build what will eventually include inns, a hotel, more than 200 town houses and condominiums, an equestrian center, retail businesses, a spa and a nine-hole golf course.

FrontStreet owns 430 acres near Gore. Its planned Ski Bowl Village at Gore Mountain was introduced in late 2005.

Critics such as the residents' committee claim the $5.5 million connection between Gore and the Ski Bowl would be an improper use of taxpayer money to help a developer. The state plans to build a chairlift to take skiers from the base of the Ski Bowl to Gore.

Residents of the FrontStreet project would be able to ski from the resort to the mountain and get back again.

DEC officials declined comment on the ruling. An attempt to reach the residents' committee for comment was not successful.

Brian Nearing can be reached at 454-5094 or by email at bnearing@timesunion.com.